Cops in Tondo killings: Video being authenticated, says Palace

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte would “not tolerate murders” committed by policemen after the British news agency Reuters published a special report detailing the alleged summary executions of three drug suspects in Tondo, Manila, in October.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the security camera footage that Reuters obtained showing the alleged killings was being authenticated.

“The President will not tolerate murders being committed by the PNP [Philippine National Police] but we are looking into this because this is very new. I think it only came out [Monday],” Roque said in a press briefing.

“Again, the Palace position is we do not tolerate police violence, brutality or killing … I assure you that the authorities are now looking into this matter. We’re in the process also of authenticating the video,” he said.

“I assure you that the President will not tolerate any abuses that may be committed by some personnel of the PNP,” he added.

“I myself have not seen the video but I will see it at some point. I will look at the video in my capacity as presidential adviser on human rights,” Roque said.

He said the PNP was conducting its own investigation of the killings.

“The police [are] looking into it and I do not know if the President will order other [government agencies to also conductan investigation],” he said.

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